Vocal / instrumental training system and method of same

ABSTRACT

A vocal and/or instrumental training system can include a sound storage database having a plurality of model sound recordings, such as recordings of various wild game calls, stored therein. A user can select one of the model sound recordings to emulate, and provide audio input, such as the user&#39;s vocal performance of a wild game call, in an attempt to emulate the selected model sound recording. The audio input can be received by an audio input device, and recorded by a recording device. Audio characteristics, such as pitch, tone, timbre, cadence, rhythm, beat and/or amplitude, of the recorded audio input can be compared with the corresponding audio characteristics of the selected model sound recording. Results of the comparison can be graphically displayed on a sound graph.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/675,586, filed Jul. 25, 2012, which is incorporated herein byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system for developing and/orimproving a person's vocal or musical abilities, such as in singing,game calling and/or playing musical instruments. One embodiment of theinvention is a vocal training system comprised of a software programthat can be used in smartphone based applications and/or downloadablesoftware for a PC and/or Mac computer that helps users replicate adesired vocal sound, such as a wild game call.

Wild game hunting has been a popular recreational activity in the UnitedStates for generations. Many hunters utilize the tactic of game calling,in which the hunter uses his voice to try to mimic the mating, gatheringand/or feeding calls of the desired game in an attempt to attract thegame to within firing range of the hunter. However, game calling is noteasy, and typically requires a great deal of practice and training tobecome proficient in accurately reproducing a particular game call.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a systemfor developing a person's ability to accurately replicate a desiredsound, such as wild game calls, or other vocal performances. These andother objects of the invention can be achieved in the preferredembodiments of the invention described below.

One embodiment of the invention comprises a system that helps usersaccurately replicate a desired sound comprising a software program thatcan be used in smartphone based applications and/or downloadablesoftware for a PC and/or Mac computer. The system gives the user theability to see their sound on a sound graph in comparison to the desiredoriginal sound from the software or application or a recorded soundstored on the PC or Mac. The smartphone or computer shows both sounds onthe sound graph to help the user improve his performance showing wherethe user's performance was accurate and the user's mistakes in theperformance. The software and application also gives the user a numbergrade from 0-100% on how well they replicated the original desiredsound. The user also has the ability to listen to both sounds at thesame time to determine where mistakes were made. The user can share hisgrades through social media, and challenge others to beat his score. Theuser can record sounds he desires to emulate, and save them to a PC, Macor smartphone application for future tutorial sessions.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a vocal andinstrumental training system can include a processor device comprising acentral processing unit, and a software program operatively connected tothe central processing unit, whereby the central processing unit carriesout instructions of the program. A sound storage database stores aplurality of model sound files processable by the processor device, anda recording storage database stores a plurality of recorded performancefiles processable by the processor device. The program instructs thecentral processing unit to allow a user to select one of the pluralityof model sounds files and one of the plurality of recorded performancefiles, and instructs the central processing unit to perform an analysiscomparing audio characteristics of the selected recorded performancefile with the audio characteristics of the selected model sound file.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the processor devicecomprises a computer.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the processor devicecan be a personal computer or a smartphone.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the plurality of modelsound files can include recordings of wild game calls, recordings ofvocal performances and/or recordings of musical performances.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the training systemincludes means for connecting the processor device to the Internet, andthe program allows for sound files to be uploaded via the Internet intothe model sounds database.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the program instructsthe central processing unit to perform an analysis comparing audiocharacteristics such as pitch, tone, timbre, cadence, rhythm, beat,and/or amplitude of the selected recorded performance file with thecorresponding audio characteristics of the selected model sound file.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the program instructsthe processor device to graphically display the analysis comparing theaudio characteristics of the selected recorded performance file with theaudio characteristics of the selected model sound file on a sound graph.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the training systemincludes an audio unit operatively connected to the central processingunit, so that the audio unit can transmit sound audible to a user, andinput means operatively connected to the processor drive and adapted toreceive audio input from the user. Recording means can be operativelyconnected to the processor drive for recording audio input from theuser. The recording means includes a selectable recording option, inwhich selection of the recording option by the user initiates recordingof the audio received by the input means. The recorded audio is storedin the recording storage database as one of the plurality of recordedperformance files. Playback means can be operatively connected to theprocessor device to play a selected recorded performance file and aselected model sound file through the audio unit.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the playback meansincludes a playback option, in which selection of the playback optioninitiates simultaneous playing of the selected recorded performance fileand a selected model sound file through the audio unit.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the audio unitcomprises at least one audio speaker.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the input meanscomprises a microphone.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a method of vocal orinstrumental training comprises providing a sound storage databasecomprising a plurality of model sound recordings, and providing an inputdevice for receiving audio input from a person. A recording device isprovided for recording audio input received by the input device, and oneof the model sound recordings is selected to emulate. Audio input isprovided into the input device that is intended to emulate the selectedmodel sound recording. The audio input is recorded, and the audiocharacteristics of the recorded audio input is compared withcorresponding audio characteristics of the selected model soundrecording.

According to another embodiment of the invention, an alphanumeric scoreis assigned to the recorded audio input based on the comparison of theaudio characteristics of the recorded audio input with the audiocharacteristics of the selected model sound recording.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the audiocharacteristics of the recorded audio input in comparison with thecorresponding audio characteristics of the selected model soundrecording are graphically displayed.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the pitch, tone,timbre, cadence, rhythm, beat, and/or amplitude of the recorded audioinput are compared with the corresponding audio characteristics of theselected model sound recording.

According to another embodiment of the invention, an Internet websitecan be provided on which users can upload audio files into the soundstorage database.

According to another embodiment of the invention, users of the Internetwebsite can download model sound recordings from the sound storagedatabase. The users can be charged a monetary fee for downloading themodel sound recordings from the sound storage database.

According to another embodiment of the invention, recorded audio inputsare stored in a database that can be accessed by website users. Theusers can listen to a selected audio input, and enter ratings data onthe website regarding the selected audio input. A score can be assignedto the selected audio input based on the ratings of the website users.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the model soundrecordings are recordings of wild game calls, recordings of vocalperformances and/or recordings of musical performances.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the model soundrecordings are recordings of wild game calls, and the audio inputcomprises a person vocally performing a wild game call in an attempt toemulate a selected model sound recording of a wild game call.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a vocal/instrumental training systemaccording to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a sound graph of the system of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a website page according to anotherembodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION AND BEST MODE

A vocal/instrumental training system according to a preferred embodimentof the invention comprises a software program 10 that can be used insmartphone based applications and/or is downloadable software for a PCand/or Mac computer. As shown in FIG. 1, the program 10 includes a sounddatabase 12 on which is stored a plurality of recorded “model” sounds 14for users to attempt to replicate. The model sounds 14 can be wild gamecalls, vocal performances, instrumental performances, and/or any otherrecorded sounds that users wish to emulate.

A user 100 can select a particular model sound 14, such as a particularwild game call, which the user aspires to replicate. The system 10includes play back and recording means. The playback means can becomprised of a play back option 24, which when selected plays theselected model sound 14.

The system includes input means, such as a microphone 30, for receivingaudio input from the user 100, as shown in FIG. 1. After listening tothe particular model sound 14 a desired number of times, the user 100can perform his own version of the model sound 14, which is receivedinto the system 10 via the microphone 30, as shown in FIG. 1, andrecorded by the recording means. The recording means can be comprised ofa recording option 22, which when selected records the sounds receivedby the microphone 30 from the user, and stores the recording in arecording database 16. Multiple recordings can be stored in therecording database 16, and retrieved to be played again when desired bythe user 100.

The system 10 can provide feedback to the user regarding thecharacteristics of the user's performance, such as the pitch, tone,timbre, cadence, rhythm, beat, and/or amplitude of the performance, andcan compare these audio characteristics of the user's performance tothose of the selected model sound 14, and visually displays thecomparison of the two sounds on a sound graph 40, as shown in FIG. 2.The sound graph can be displayed on the user's smartphone or computer.The sound graph 40 helps the user 100 improve his performance by showingwhere and how the user's performance accurately replicated the selectedmodel sound, and where and how the user's performance deviated from themodel sound. The program can gives the user 100 a number grade from0-100% relating to how well the user replicated the selected modelsound. Also, both the recording of the user's performance and theselected model sound can be played back simultaneously to aid the user100 in determining where mistakes were made. The user 100 can share hisgrades through social media, and challenge others to beat his score.

In an embodiment of the invention, the recording means can bevoice-activated, and records the user's sound with a pad of 0.5 secondsbefore and after the end of the sound. A sample frequency of 8000 Hertzis used. Multiple attempts by the user 100 to perform a particular soundor musical piece can be recorded, and the program 10 can use themultiple samples to compute a model, or a weighted average for analysis.The waveform of a sound recording can be converted to a sequence offeature vectors using a frame-based analysis. Features can be computedevery forty samples (40/8000=5.0 msec) using 120 samples (15 msec) ofaudio data to compute the features. The audio data in each analysiswindow can be converted to a frequency domain representation using a 256point zero-stuffed fast Fourier transform (FFT) with a rectangularwindow. Each sound example (ideal set) can be stored as a matrix whereeach row represents a frame number, and each column represents a featurevector. Ideal examples are first aligned together using an algorithmknown as dynamic time warping (a variant of dynamic programming). Theinitial example is taken as a reference, and the remaining examples arestretched or compressed in time to match the duration of the initialexample. The spectrum is then computed frame by frame and the result foreach example is saved in a matrix. A user's audio input is compared tothe selected model sound recording by correlating the time and frequencyrepresentation of the test signal with the ideal examples. The testsound can be aligned with the average of the ideal examples usingdynamic programming. The absolute value of the statistical correlationbetween each feature vector of the test signal and each feature vectorof the ideal signal is computed. The mean and median of the rawscore canbe computed over all input frames of data. The rawscore calculated abovedoes not extend over the range [0,1]. Rather, it is between [p,q] wherep>0 and q<1. So the rawscore is remapped into [0,1] using a mappingfunction. The procedure used to compute the final rawscore computes twonumbers for two extreme cases: (1) using a noise signal instead of testsignal; and (2) using several ideal signals instead of test signals. Alinear mapping can be defined based on the estimates that maps scoresonto the range [0,1].score(1)=min(max((mean(rawscore1)−p1)/(q1−p1),0),1)score(2)=min(max((mean(rawscore2)−p2)/(q2−p2),0),1)The reason for using min(max(·)) is to make sure the final score isbetween 0 and 1. Sometimes the raw score computed for the test signalcan be worse than the raw score for noise or better than the raw scorefor ideal case.Postprocess the Score: final_score=mean(score(1), score(2))where score(1) and score(2) are the respective frame-based scores.The final score is displayed as user feedback.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the system 10 can be used byhunters to improve their wild game calling skills. For example, a huntermay wish to improve his duck calling ability. The program 10 includesmodel samples of various duck call sounds 14 recorded from professionalcallers. The user 100 selects a particular model sample 14, and listensto the model duck call sound as many times as desired. Then the user 100can press the record button 22, and record his own performance of theduck call in an attempt to replicate the model sample to which he hasbeen listening. The program 10 gives the user 100 a grade based on howhis performance matched the model sample sound 14, and displays to theuser on the sound graph 40 where mistakes were made in tone, pitch,beat, cadence, etc. Also, the user can repeatedly listen to the modelsample sound 14 and his recorded performance at the same time forcomparison.

The system 10 can include a plurality of model sounds 14 that arepre-installed on the software. In addition, the user himself candownload model sounds into the system 10, via the user's smartphone orcomputer. The user can record sounds he desires to emulate, and savethem to his computer or smartphone application for future tutorialsessions.

The system 10 can include an Internet website accessible to the generalpublic, on which model sounds can be downloaded using audio files, suchas way or MP3, as shown in FIG. 3. In addition, website users can uploadtheir own recordings, which can be downloaded by other users. As such,the system 10 can facilitate a community of multiple users, who canupload model sounds for others to download and use.

The community of users can communicate with each other, and makerequests for particular model sound samples. For example, a particularuser may be unfamiliar with the call of a particular species of wildgame that he intends to hunt. The user can communicate a request on thewebsite for other users who have experience calling the particularspecies to record and upload model samples of the call for use intraining. Users can rate the model sample sounds that have been uploadedto provide guidance to users when determining which uploaded modelsamples to use for training. In addition, the program 10 can maintain acount of the number of times a particular model sample sound has beendownloaded by users, and includes features for sharing to socialnetworking Internet sites, such as FACEBOOK and TWITTER. Also, there canbe an “AMERICAN IDOL” style talent contest, in which users vote forvarious accolades, such as the best model sample sound for a particularspecies of game call, and the user who has contributed the best overallcollection of model sound samples. Top users can win prizes for thesounds they have uploaded.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the system 10comprises a smartphone application or computer program having minimal orno pre-existing sound samples installed thereon. Users are allowed todownload this version on their smartphone or computer for free, and arecharged a particular fee for downloading the sample sounds of theirchoice per each sample downloaded. Users can purchase sound samples froma web store having a library of stored samples. Users can upgrade to afully functional version by paying an upgrade fee.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention is described above asbeing used to develop wild game calling skills, the invention is not solimited. For example, in another embodiment of the invention, thetraining system 10 can comprise a software application that aids musicteachers in instructing their students to play musical instruments. Inthis embodiment, a music teacher can download a model sample ofinstrumental music to be learned by the teacher's student, and thecorresponding sheet music for the particular piece of music being taughtcan be displayed on a pdf file on the student's computer or smartphone.The student can listen to the sample of instrumental music while readingthe sheet music. The student can then attempt to replicate the musicthey have seen and heard, and the system 10 provides a sound graphcomparison of the teacher's model sample and the student's recordedperformance.

In another embodiment of the invention, a community of musicalinstrument players sharing the same interest in the same instrument canchallenge each other by uploading their own sound samples, and challengeothers to try to replicate the quality of the particular sound sample.For example, a guitarist can record himself playing a particular pieceof music, upload the recording, and challenge others to replicate hisrecording. Vocalists can do the same with regard to samples of theirsinging.

In another embodiment of the invention, users can try to replicate linesfrom famous movies, television shows and plays. In yet anotherembodiment of the invention, users can upload various random soundrecordings, and other users are allowed to try to replicate them. A usercan record a sound, and challenge other users of his choosing to try toreplicate the recorded sound and guess what the sound is.

Another embodiment of the invention comprises a smartphone applicationfor use while driving a vehicle. The application compares the vocalsemanating from the smartphone generated radio to the vocal performanceof the user who is singing along. The user sings the song they arehearing, and the application scores them based on the voice comparisonsof the user and the vocals in the original song. Records of best scoresfor each song that is used in the application are recorded andmaintained.

A vocal/instrumental training system and method of same are describedabove. Various changes can be made to the invention without departingfrom its scope. The above description of preferred embodiments and bestmode of the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration onlyand not limitation—the invention being defined by the claims andequivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wild game call training system comprising: (a)a processor device comprising a central processing unit; (b) a softwareprogram operatively connected to the central processing unit, wherebythe central processing unit carries out instructions of the program; (c)a sound storage database for storing a plurality of model sound filesprocessable by the processor device, the model sound files comprisingrecordings of wild game calls; (d) input means operatively connected tothe processor device, wherein the input means receives and stores anaudio input from a user that is intended to emulate at least one of theplurality of model sound files; and (e) wherein the program instructsthe central processing unit to allow a user to select one of theplurality of model sounds files, and instructs the central processingunit to perform an analysis comparing audio characteristics of the audioinput from the user with audio characteristics of the selected modelsound file.
 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the processordevice comprises a computer.
 3. The system according to claim 1, whereinthe processor device comprises a device selected from the groupconsisting of a personal computer and a smartphone.
 4. The systemaccording to claim 1, further comprising means for connecting theprocessor device to the Internet, and further wherein the program allowsfor sound files to be uploaded via the Internet into the sound storagedatabase.
 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the audiocharacteristics of the audio input from the user and the audiocharacteristics of the selected model sound file are selected from thegroup consisting of pitch, tone, timbre, cadence, rhythm, beat, andamplitude.
 6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the programinstructs the processor device to graphically display the analysiscomparing the audio characteristics of the audio input from the userwith the audio characteristics of the selected model sound file on asound graph.
 7. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: (a)an audio unit operatively connected to the central processing unit,whereby the audio unit can transmit sound audible to the user; (b)recording means operatively connected to the processor device forrecording the audio input from the user, the recording means comprisinga selectable recording option, wherein selection of the recording optionby the user initiates recording of the audio input received by the inputmeans, and the recorded audio is stored in a recording storage databasecomprising a plurality of recorded performance files; and (c) playbackmeans operatively connected to the processor device for playing aselected one of the plurality of recorded performance files and aselected one of the plurality of model sound files through the audiounit.
 8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the playback meanscomprises a playback option, wherein selection of the playback optioninitiates simultaneous playing of the selected one of the plurality ofrecorded performance files and a selected one of the plurality of modelsound files through the audio unit.
 9. The system according to claim 7,wherein the audio unit comprises at least one audio speaker.
 10. Thesystem according to claim 7, wherein the input means comprises amicrophone.
 11. A method of wild game call training comprising: (a)providing a sound storage database comprising a plurality of model soundrecordings, wherein the plurality of model sound recordings compriserecordings of wild game calls; (b) providing an input device forreceiving audio input from a person; (c) providing a recording devicefor recording audio input received by the input device; (d) selectingone of the plurality of model sound recordings to emulate; (e) providingaudio input into the input device that is intended to emulate theselected model sound recording; (f) recording the audio input; and (g)comparing audio characteristics of the recorded audio input withcorresponding audio characteristics of the selected model soundrecording.
 12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising thestep of assigning an alphanumeric score to the recorded audio inputbased on the comparing of the audio characteristics of the recordedaudio input with the audio characteristics of the selected model soundrecording.
 13. The method according to claim 11, further comprising thestep of graphically displaying the audio characteristics of the recordedaudio input in comparison with the corresponding audio characteristicsof the selected model sound recording.
 14. The method according to claim11, wherein the step of comparing audio characteristics of the recordedaudio input with corresponding audio characteristics of the selectedmodel sound recording comprises comparing audio characteristics selectedfrom the group consisting of pitch, tone, timbre, cadence, rhythm, beat,and amplitude.
 15. The method according to claim 11, further comprisingproviding an Internet website on which users can upload audio files intothe sound storage database.
 16. The method according to claim 15,wherein users can download model sound recordings from the sound storagedatabase, and further comprising the step of charging users a fee fordownloading model sound recordings from the sound storage database. 17.The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of storingrecorded audio inputs and allowing website users to listen to a selectedaudio input and enter ratings data on the website regarding the selectedaudio input, and assigning a score to the selected audio input based onthe ratings of the website users.
 18. The method according to claim 11,wherein the step of providing audio input into the input devicecomprises a person vocally performing a wild game call in an attempt toemulate the selected model sound recording.